Image data processing device

ABSTRACT

An image data processing device includes: a basic image data acquisition device that acquires basic image data; a simplified image data generation device that generates simplified image data corresponding to the basic image data which has been acquired, a size of the simplified image data being smaller than that of the basic image data; a transmission device that transmits at least the basic image data to an external storage device; and an internal storage device that stores the simplified image data without storing the basic image data.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The disclosure of the following priority application is hereinincorporated by reference:

Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-367428, filed Dec. 1, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image data processing device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Image data which has been recorded by an electronic camera is oftentransferred to and recorded in a data storage device which has a greaterrecording capacity than the recording medium which is generally providedto the electronic camera. This image data which has been recorded in thedata storage device is read out by a personal computer or the like, andis displayed upon a display device which is connected to the personalcomputer, and/or is printed upon an output device which is connected tothe personal computer. If the electronic camera and the data storagedevice are positioned in places which are remote from one another, and,if no display device is provided upon the data storage device side, inorder for the person who is operating the electronic camera to check theimages which correspond to the image data which is recorded in the datastorage device, it is necessary to preserve the same image data as theimage data which have been recorded in the data storage device in therecording medium of the electronic camera as well. Thus the operator ofthe electronic camera displays the images according to the image datawhich are recorded on the electronic camera side upon a monitor or thelike for display which is provided to the electronic camera, and checksthe displayed images.

This suffers from the problem that it becomes necessary to keep a largerecording medium capacity on the electronic camera side in order topreserve the image data which have been recorded in the data storagedevice in the recording medium internal to the camera as well, andaccordingly the size of the camera is increased and its cost mounts up.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is to provide an image dataprocessing device having a capacity which does not store original imagedata which has been transmitted and stores simplified image data or thelike corresponding thereto for management.

An image data processing device according to the present inventioncomprises: a basic image data acquisition device that acquires basicimage data; a simplified image data generation device that generatessimplified image data corresponding to the basic image data which hasbeen acquired, a size of the simplified image data being smaller thanthat of the basic image data; a transmission device that transmits atleast the basic image data to an external storage device; and aninternal storage device that stores the simplified image data withoutstoring the basic image data.

In this image data processing device, it is preferred that: anidentifying information generation device that generates identifyinginformation for individually identifying correspondence between thebasic image data and the simplified image data is further provided; thesignal transmission device transmits at least the basic image data andthe identifying information to the external storage device; and theinternal storage device stores the simplified image data and theidentifying information. In this case, it is preferred that: the basicimage data acquisition device, the simplified image data generationdevice, the transmission device, and the internal storage device performprocessing for a plurality of sets of basic image data; a display devicethat displays a plurality of simplified images corresponding to aplurality of sets of simplified image data is provided; a selectiondevice that selects a single simplified image from the plurality ofsimplified images which have been displayed upon the display device isprovided; a command generation device that generates a delete commandfor deletion of simplified image data and basic image data correspondingto a simplified image which is selected by the selection device isprovided; and the signal transmission device transmits identifyinginformation and a delete command corresponding to the simplified imagethat has been selected, to the external storage device. Furthermore, itis preferred that: the command generation device generates a protectcommand for preventing deletion of simplified image data and basic imagedata corresponding to a simplified image that is selected by theselection device; and the signal transmission device transmitsidentifying information and a protect command corresponding to thesimplified image that has been selected, to the external storage device.Moreover, it is preferred that: the command generation device generatesa protection cancel command for canceling prevention of deletion ofsimplified image data and basic image data corresponding to a simplifiedimage that is selected by the selection device; and the signaltransmission device transmits identifying information and a protectioncancel command corresponding to the simplified image that has beenselected, to the external storage device.

Also, it is preferred that the identifying information includes inherentinformation that identifies the image data processing deviceindividually.

Also, in the above image data processing device, it is preferred thatthe internal storage device temporarily stores the basic image data andthe simplified image data, and deletes only the basic image data afterthe signal transmission device has transmitted the basic image data tothe external storage device.

Also, it is preferred that the signal transmission device performs acommunication with the external storage device by radio.

Also, it is preferred that: a power supply control device that turns offa supply of power to the image data processing device upon actuation ofan actuation member is further provided; and if the actuation member isactuated while the signal transmission device is transmitting the basicimage data to the external storage device, the power supply controldevice turns off the supply of power to the image data processing deviceafter the signal transmission device has completed transmitting of thebasic image data.

Also, it is preferred that: a display device that displays an imagerelated to the basic image data or the simplified image data is furtherprovided; and the display device performs control so as to lower abrightness of display image, when the signal transmission device istransmitting the basic image data to the external storage device.

An electronic camera according to the present invention comprises: animage capturing device that captures an image of a photographic subjectand generates basic image data based thereupon; a simplified image datageneration device that generates simplified image data corresponding tothe basic image data which has been generated, a size of the simplifieddata being smaller than that of the basic image data; a transmissiondevice that transmits at least the basic image data to an externalstorage device; and an internal storage device that stores thesimplified image data without storing the basic image data.

In this electronic camera, it is preferred that a continuous photographycontrol device that performs control for continuous photography isfurther provided; the internal storage device temporarily stores aplurality of sets of basic image data and a plurality of sets ofsimplified image data, during continuous photography; the transmissiondevice transmits the plurality of sets of basic image data to theexternal storage device after the continuous photography has beencompleted; and the internal storage device deletes a set of basic imagedata that has been transmitted by the transmission device. In this case,it is preferred that: a display device that displays images related tothe basic image data or the simplified image data is further provided;the display device displays a plurality of simplified imagescorresponding to the plurality of sets of simplified image data; andwhen the signal transmission device is transmitting a set of basic imagedata, the display device controls display of the plurality of simplifiedimages so as to be able to identify a simplified image that correspondsto the set of basic image data which is being transmitted.

An image data storing system according to the present invention thattransmits image data from an image data processing device to an externalstorage device and stores the image data in the external storage device,comprises: a basic image data acquisition device that is provided in theimage data processing device and acquires basic image data; a simplifiedimage data generation device that is provided in the image dataprocessing device and generates simplified image data corresponding tothe basic image data which has been acquired, a size of the simplifiedimage data being smaller than that of the basic image data; atransmission device that is provided in the image data processing deviceand transmits at least the basic image data to the external storagedevice; an internal storage device that is provided in the image dataprocessing device and stores the simplified image data without storingthe basic image data; and an image storage device that is provided inthe external storage device and stores at least the basic image datawhich has been transmitted from the image data processing device.

In this image data storing system, it is preferred that: an identifyinginformation generation device that generates identifying information forindividually identifying correspondence between the basic image data andthe simplified image data, is further provided; the transmission deviceof the image data processing device transmits at least the basic imagedata and the identifying information to the external storage device; theinternal storage device of the image data processing device stores thesimplified image data and the identifying information; and the imagestorage device of the external storage device stores at least the basicimage data and the identifying information that have been transmittedfrom the image data processing device.

In the above image data processing devices, electronic cameras and imagedata storing systems, it is preferred that the transmission devicetransmits both the basic image data and the simplified image data to theexternal storage device.

Or, in the above image data processing devices, electronic cameras andimage data storing systems, it is preferred that the transmission devicedoes not transmit the simplified image data to the external storagedevice.

An image data processing method according to the present inventioncomprises: acquiring basic image data; generating simplified image datacorresponding to the basic image data that has been acquired, a size ofthe simplified image data being smaller than that of the basic imagedata; transmitting at least the basic image data to an external storagedevice; and storing the simplified image data without storing the basicimage data.

A computer-readable computer program product contains a program forprocessing image data, and the program comprises: instructions foracquiring basic image data; instructions for generating simplified imagedata corresponding to the basic image data that has been acquired, asize of the simplified image data being smaller than that of the basicimage data; instructions for transmitting at least the basic image datato an external storage device; and instructions for storing thesimplified image data, without storing the basic image data.

It is preferred that this computer-readable computer program product isa recording medium on which the program is recorded.

Or, it is preferred that this computer-readable computer program productis a carrier wave in which the program is embodied as a data signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a figure showing the overall appearance of an image data filetransfer system which is a first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall structure of an electronicstill camera which is a component of the image data file transfer systemof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the overall structure of a datastorage device which is another component of the image data filetransfer system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the control flow of a photographicprocedure performed by the electronic still camera.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explanation of the control flow of a transferprocedure performed by this electronic still camera.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explanation of the control flow of aninterrupt procedure.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explanation of the control flow of signaltransmission procedures for a delete command, a protect command, and aprotection cancel command.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explanation of the control flow of aprocedure which is performed by the data storage device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the control flow of a photographicprocedure performed by the electronic still camera, according to asecond preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explanation of the control flow of atransfer procedure performed by this electronic still camera, accordingto the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a figure showing an arrangement for providing a program via arecording medium such as a CD-ROM or the like, or via a data signal suchas the internet or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following the present invention will be described in terms ofseveral of its preferred embodiments.

Embodiment One

FIG. 1 is a figure showing the overall appearance of an image data filetransfer system which is a first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring to this figure, an electronic still camera 100 anda data storage device 200 are connected by a communication medium (datatransmission medium) 300. This communication medium 300, for example,may perform data transfer between the electronic still camera 100 andthe data storage device 200 by wireless or radio communication such asBluetooth or the like. In this first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the electronic still camera 100 is the signal transmissionside for the image data, and the data storage device 200 is the signalreception side for the image data. This electronic still camera 100records images which have been photographed as image data files in amemory internal to said camera 100, and also transmits these image datafiles to the data storage device 200 via the communication medium 300.On the other hand, the data storage device 200 receives these image datafiles which have been transmitted via the communication medium 300 fromthe electronic still camera 100, and records and stores these image datafiles which it has received in some specific recording device.

The electronic still camera 100 comprises a power supply switch 111, ashutter release button 112, a four way switch 113 which serves as apointing device, a thumbnail display button 114, an image data deletebutton 115, an image data protect button 116, and a LCD display section107. The power supply switch 111 is an actuation member which performschangeover of the power supply of this electronic still camera 100between ON and OFF. The shutter release button 112 is an actuationmember which starts photographic operation by this electronic stillcamera 100. The four way switch 113 is an actuation member whichperforms pointing actuation in the upwards, downwards, leftwards, andrightwards directions upon a display screen which is being shown uponthe LCD display section 107. The LCD display section 107 can display asingle photographed image according to the image data which have beenphotographed, and alternatively can display an array of thumbnailimages. The thumbnail display button 114 is an actuation member whichperforms changeover of the LCD display section 107 between displaying asingle photographed image, and displaying an array of thumbnail images.The actions of the image data delete button 115 and of the image dataprotect button 116 will be explained hereinafter. It should beunderstood that the various switches and buttons described above of thiselectronic still camera 100 may be referred to generally as actuationmembers 110.

The data storage device 200 comprises a power supply switch 211, a fourway switch 212 which serves as a pointing device, a thumbnail displaybutton 213, an image data delete button 214, an image data protectbutton 215, and an LCD display section 204. The power supply switch 211is an actuation member which performs changeover of the power supply ofthis data storage device 200 between ON and OFF. The four way switch 212is an actuation member which performs pointing actuation in the upwards,downwards, leftwards, and rightwards directions upon a display screenwhich is being shown upon the LCD display section 204. The LCD displaysection 204 can display a single photographic image according to imagedata, and alternatively can display an array of thumbnail images. Thethumbnail display button 213 is an actuation member which performschangeover of the LCD display section 204 between displaying a singlephotographed image, and displaying an array of thumbnail images. Theactions of the image data delete button 214 and of the image dataprotect button 215 will be explained hereinafter. It should beunderstood that the various switches and buttons described above of thisdata storage device 200 may be referred to generally as actuationmembers 210.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall structure of theelectronic still camera 100. Referring to this figure, the electronicstill camera 100 comprises a photographic lens 101, a CCD 102, an A/Dconversion circuit 103, an image processor circuit 104, an internalmemory 105, a CPU circuit 106, an LCD display section 107, a data bus108, a signal transmission and reception circuit 109, and the previouslydescribed actuation members 110. The internal memory 105 is a memorycard or the like which is detachably fitted to the electronic stillcamera so as to be removed and replaced at the user's will. Furthermore,it is acceptable for this electronic still camera to be provided with asemiconductor memory or the like which is fitted internally thereto. Theactuation members 110, as described above, include the shutter releasebutton 112 and the like. When any one of the actuation members 110 isactuated, it sends a signal indicative of the actuation of this switchor button to the CPU circuit 106. An optical low-pass filter and a colorfilter (for example, Bayer filter) are disposed on the CCD 102.

When the power supply switch Ill is actuated so as to be turned ON, theCPU circuit 106 performs a predetermined ON operation of the electronicstill camera 100 to start a control program. The CPU circuit 106controls the driving of the CCD 102 which is an image capturing device,and controls the operational timing for accumulating electric chargesupon this CCD 102, and for reading out the accumulated electricalcharges from this CCD 102. When an actuation signal is received by theCPU circuit 106 from the shutter release button 112, the CPU circuit 106starts photographic action. An image of the subject to be photographedis focused by the photographic lens 101 upon the CCD 102, and the CCD102 accumulates signal electric charges corresponding to the brightnessof the light from the subject to be photographed which is thus incident.The signal charges which have been thus accumulated in the CCD 102 aredischarged according to a timing signal by the CPU circuit 106, and theresulting signal is converted from an analog image-capture signal to adigital signal by the A/D conversion circuit 103. This signal which hasbeen converted to digital form is fed to the image processor circuit104, and is subjected thereby to predetermined image processing such ascontour correction, gamma correction, color temperature adjustment,color space conversion processing, and the like.

The image data which has been thus subjected to predetermined imageprocessing is further processed into image data for display by the imageprocessor circuit 104, and is then displayed as the result ofphotography upon an external monitor such as the LCD display section 107or the like. The image processor circuit 104 further performs processingupon the image data after it has been thus subjected to thepredetermined image processing in order to generate thumbnail image datafor thumbnail display, and also performs processing after it has beenthus subjected to the predetermined image processing for datacompression at a predetermined compression ratio according to the JPEGformat. A predetermined file name is appended by the CPU circuit 106 tothis image data which has been data compressed, and it is then recordedin the internal memory 105 together with the corresponding thumbnailimage data.

This image data file which has been recorded in the internal memory 105is transmitted to the signal transmission and reception circuit 109 viathe bus 108. The signal transmission and reception circuit 109 transmitsan electromagnetic wave which has been modulated so as to carry thisimage data signal from an antenna 109A towards the data storage device200.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the overall structure of the datastorage device 200. Referring to this figure, the data storage device200 comprises signal transmission and reception circuit 201, a memory202, an image processor circuit 203, an LCD display section 204, a databus 205, a CPU circuit 206, and the previously described actuationmembers 210. The actuation members 210, as described above, include thefour way switch 212 and the like. When any one of the actuation members210 is actuated, it sends a signal indicative of the actuation of thisswitch or button to the CPU circuit 106.

When the power supply switch 211 is actuated so as to be turned ON, theCPU circuit 206 performs a predetermined ON operation of the datastorage device 200 to start a control program. An electromagnetic wavesignal which has been received via the antenna 201A is demodulated intoan image data signal by the signal transmission and reception circuit201, and the image data file which is reconstituted from the image datasignal is recorded in the memory 202. The memory 202 is the mainrecording device for the data storage device 200. The image data filewhich is recorded in the memory 202 is supplied to the image processorcircuit 203, and is processed therein into image data for display. Thisimage data for display is displayed upon an external monitor such as theLCD display section 204 or the like. The image processor circuit 203also performs decompression processing in order to decompress image datawhich is in compressed form, according to requirements.

The flow of a photographic procedure which is performed by the CPUcircuit 106 of the electronic still camera 100 will now be explainedwith reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 4. When the power supplyswitch 111 of the electronic still camera 100 is actuated so as to beturned ON, the program whose flow is shown in FIG. 4 is started. Firstin a step S1 the CPU circuit 106 performs through image display with theelectronic still camera 100. In this through image display, beforeshutter release, images are captured by the CCD 102, and images basedupon the image-capture signals which are outputted from the CCD 102 aresuccessively displayed upon the LCD display section 107. Next in a stepS2 the CPU circuit 106 drives the photographic lens 101 by an A/F devicenot shown in the figures so as to focus it upon the subject to bephotographed, and also performs exposure calculation based upon thebrightness of the subject to be photographed which is detected by aphotographic subject brightness detection device also not shown in thefigures. Next in a step S3 the CPU circuit 106 decides whether or notthe shutter release button 112 has been actuated, and if the shutterrelease has been actuated then this decision in this step S3 is YES andthe flow of control proceeds to a step S4, while if on the other handthe shutter release has not been actuated then this decision in thisstep S3 is NO and the flow of control returns to the step S2.

In the step S4 the CPU circuit 106 starts the photographic processingdescribed above, and then the flow of control proceeds to a step S5. Inthis step S5 the image data which has been obtained as the result ofphotography is processed into image data for display by the imageprocessor circuit 104, and is displayed as a freeze image upon the LCDdisplay section 107. This freeze image display consists of capturing animage after shutter release actuation by the CCD 102, and displaying animage based upon the image-capture signal which has been output from theCCD 102 upon the LCD display section 107. Next in a step S6 the CPUcircuit 106 outputs a command to the image processor circuit 104 fordata compression of an original image data according to the JPEG formatat a predetermined compression ratio, and then the flow of controlproceeds to a next step S7.

In this next step S7 the CPU circuit 106 records in its internal memory105 the original image data which has been subjected to compressiontogether with thumbnail image data as a single image data file, forexample in the EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) file format, andthen the flow of control proceeds to a next step S8. The image datawhich has been subjected to compression is termed the “basic imagedata”, when contrasted with the thumbnail image data. The data size ofthe thumbnail image data is small by comparison with that of the basicimage data, and accordingly the memory capacity which is required forstoring it is quite small. In the step S8 the CPU circuit 106 records anID in a unique region in the EXIF format file which has been recorded.This ID which is recorded may, for example, include the serial number ofthis electronic still camera 100, in order to make it possible for thisimage data file to be distinguished from other image data files whichhave been taken using other electronic still cameras.

Next in a step S9 the CPU circuit 106 transfers a copy of the image datafile in EXIF format which has been recorded in the internal memory 105to the signal transmission and reception circuit 109, and then the flowof control proceeds to a next step S10. In this step S10 the CPU circuit106 performs transfer procedures for this image data by the signaltransmission and reception circuit 109, and when this has been completedthe procedure of FIG. 4 is terminated.

It should be understood that there are at least two methods forproducing thumbnail image data. In one method, the original image datais reduced and the reduced image data is generated as the thumbnailimage data. In another method, the original image data and the thumbnailimage data are produced based on the output of CCD in parallel.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explanation of the control flow which isexecuted by the CPU circuit 106 during the transfer procedure of thestep S10 described above. First in a step S11 the CPU circuit 106 issuesa command to the signal transmission and reception circuit 109 forstarting signal transmission of the image data file, and then the flowof control continues to a next step S12. In this step S12 the CPUcircuit 106 outputs a command to the image processor circuit 104 forlowering the display brightness of the freeze image display which isbeing displayed upon the LCD display section 107, and then the flow ofcontrol continues to a next step S13. In this step S13 the CPU circuit106 decides whether or not a receipt completed signal has been receivedfrom the data storage device 200. This receipt completed signal will beexplained hereinafter. If the signal transmission and reception circuit109 has indeed received such a receipt completed signal, then the CPUcircuit 106 determines that the result of the decision in the step S13is YES, and the flow of control proceeds to the next step S14; while onthe other hand, if the signal transmission and reception circuit 109 hasnot received such a receipt completed signal, then the CPU circuit 106determines that the result of the decision in the step S13 is NO, andthe flow of control returns to this step S13 again, in order to repeatthe decision procedure.

Next in this step S14 the CPU circuit 106 deletes the basic image datafrom the image data file in EXIF format which is recorded in theinternal memory 105. The result of this is that the data size of theimage data file which is recorded in the internal memory 105 becomessmaller. In a next step S15 the CPU circuit 106 outputs a command to theimage processor circuit 104 for returning the display brightness of thefreeze image display which is being displayed upon the LCD displaysection to its original value, and then the procedure of FIG. 5terminates.

It should be understood that, although the present invention has beenexplained above in terms of the transmission of the basic image data andthe thumbnail image data together as a single image data file, it wouldalternatively be acceptable to transmit only the basic image data,without transmitting the thumbnail image data.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explanation of the control flow of aninterrupt procedure which is performed by the CPU circuit 106 whenduring the above described procedure of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 an interruptrequest is generated for the CPU circuit 106. Such an interrupt requestis generated when an OFF actuation signal is sent from the power supplyswitch 111, or by an OFF timer which is set for the CPU circuit 106 inadvance, or the like. The CPU circuit 106 changes over to executing theprocedure of FIG. 6 when the interrupt request is generated. First in astep S16 of FIG. 6 the CPU circuit 106 detects whether or not at thetime point that the interrupt was generated the steps S5 through S10 arebeing performed, and, if the steps S5 through S10 are being performed,then the decision in this step S16 is YES, and the system waits untilthe procedure of the step S10 has terminated. On the other hand, if thesteps S5 through S10 are not being performed at the time point that theinterrupt was generated, then the decision in this step S16 is NO, andthe flow of control proceeds to a step S17. In this step S17 the CPUcircuit 106 terminates the control program for the electronic stillcamera 100 and performs a predetermined power supply OFF procedure, andthen this procedure of FIG. 6 is completed.

The electronic still camera 100 can also be used for transmittingvarious commands to the data storage device 200, such as a deletecommand for deleting an image data file which is stored on the datastorage device 200, a protect command for ensuring that an image datafile which is stored on the data storage device 200 cannot be deleted,and a protection cancel command for canceling the above describedprotection. FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explanation of the control flowof the program which is performed by the CPU circuit 106 when performingsignal transmission procedures for the various commands described above.This program of FIG. 7 is started when the thumbnail display button 114of the electronic still camera 100 is actuated.

First in a step S41 of FIG. 7 the CPU circuit 106 reads out in order,from among the image data files in EXIF format which are recorded in theinternal memory 105, those ones of the image data files from which thebasic image data has been deleted, and displays an array of imagescorresponding to the thumbnail image data recorded in these image datafiles which have been read out upon the LCD display section 107. Bydoing this, a thumbnail array according to the image data files whichhave the same ID as the image data files which are recorded on the datastorage device 200 is displayed upon the LCD display section 107. Thisdisplayed array of thumbnail images is produced by the image processorcircuit 104 generating data for display, this display data then beingdisplayed by the LCD display section 107.

When providing this display of the array of thumbnail images upon theLCD display section 107, as an initial setting, as shown in FIG. 1, theframe of the one of the thumbnail images at the upper left of the screenis accentuated or highlighted. This thumbnail image which is displayedas accentuated indicates which image data file will be subjected to theactions of an image file delete command, protect command, or protectioncancel command. The display of the frame of the thumbnail image asaccentuated is controlled by the image processor circuit 104. Theoperator can select the thumbnail image which is to be the subject ofthe above described commands from among the thumbnail images which aredisplayed by actuating the four way switch 113 upwards, downwards,leftwards and rightwards, as appropriate. For example, if he wishes toselect the next thumbnail image rightwards, he actuates the four wayswitch 113 righwards.

Next in a step S42 the CPU circuit 106 detects the actuation signal fromthe four way switch 113, and then the flow of control proceeds to a nextstep S43. In this step S43, the CPU circuit 106 selects the thumbnailimage which is to be the subject of the above described commands basedupon the actuation signal from the four way switch 113. The CPU circuit106 outputs a command to the image processor circuit 104 to performaccentuated display of the selected thumbnail image, and then the flowof control proceeds to a next step S44. In this step S44 the CPU circuit106 decides whether or not the image data delete button 115 has beenactuated, and if in fact the image data delete button 115 has beenactuated, then a YES decision is made in this step S44, and the flow ofcontrol proceeds to a next step S45. On the other hand, if the imagedata delete button 115 has not been actuated, then a NO decision is madein this step S44, and the flow of control is transferred to a step S48.

Next in the step S45 the CPU circuit 106 transmits a signal to thesignal transmission and reception circuit 109 consisting of a deletecommand signal and the ID which is recorded in the image data file whichis to be the subject of this delete command, and then the flow ofcontrol proceeds to a step S46. In this step S46 the CPU circuit 106decides whether or not a delete completed signal has been received fromthe data storage device 200 by the signal transmission and receptioncircuit 109. If indeed a delete completed signal has been received bythe signal transmission and reception circuit 109, then the CPU circuit106 arrives at a YES decision in this step S46, and the flow of controlis transferred to a next step S47; while on the other hand, if no deletecompleted signal has been received by the signal transmission andreception circuit 109, then the CPU circuit 106 arrives at a NO decisionin the step S46, and this decision procedure is repeated. This deletecompleted signal will be explained hereinafter. In the step S47 the CPUcircuit 106, along with deleting from the internal memory 106 the imagedata file which corresponds to the thumbnail image which was beingdisplayed as accentuated, in other words the file which corresponds tothe ID which has been transmitted along with the delete command, alsooutputs a command to the image processor circuit 104 to delete thedisplay of the thumbnail image which was being displayed as accentuated.When the procedure of the step S47 has been completed, the flow ofcontrol proceeds to the next step S48.

Next in the step S48 the CPU circuit 106 decides whether or not theimage data protect button 116 has been actuated, and if indeed the imagedata protect button 116 has been actuated then the result of thisdecision in the step S48 is YES and the flow of control proceeds to thenext step S49. On the other hand, if in fact the image data protectbutton 116 has not been actuated then the result of this decision in thestep S48 is NO and the flow of control is transferred to a step S52. Inthe step S49 the CPU circuit 106 transmits a signal to the signaltransmission and reception circuit 109 consisting of a protect commandsignal and the ID which is recorded in the image data file which is tobe the subject of this protect command, and then the flow of controlproceeds to a step S50. In this step S50 the CPU circuit 106 decideswhether or not a protect completed signal has been received from thedata storage device 200 by the signal transmission and reception circuit109. If indeed a protect completed signal has been received by thesignal transmission and reception circuit 109, then the CPU circuit 106arrives at a YES decision in this step S50, and the flow of control istransferred to a next step S51; while on the other hand, if no protectcompleted signal has been received by the signal transmission andreception circuit 109, then the CPU circuit 106 arrives at a NO decisionin the step S50, and this decision procedure is repeated. This protectcompleted signal will be explained hereinafter. In the step S51 the CPUcircuit 106 outputs a command to the image processor circuit 104 tosuperimpose a protection mark over the thumbnail image which is beingdisplayed as accentuated, and then the flow of control proceeds to thenext step S52.

Next in the step S52 the CPU circuit 106 decides whether or not, in thestate in which a protection mark is being superimposed over thethumbnail image which is being displayed as accentuated, the image dataprotection button 116 is again being actuated; and if indeed the imagedata protection button 116 is being actuated again then the result ofthis decision in the step S52 is YES and the flow of control proceeds toa next step S53, while if in fact the image data protection button 116is not being actuated again, then the result of this decision in thestep S52 is NO, and the flow of control is transferred to a step S56. Inthe step S53 the CPU circuit 106 transmits a signal to the signaltransmission and reception circuit 109 consisting of a protection cancelcommand signal and the ID which is recorded in the image data file whichis to be the subject of this protection cancel command, and then theflow of control proceeds to a step S54. In this step S54 the CPU circuit106 decides whether or not a protection cancel completed signal has beenreceived from the data storage device 200 by the signal transmission andreception circuit 109. If indeed a protection cancel completed signalhas been received by the signal transmission and reception circuit 109,then the CPU circuit 106 arrives at a YES decision in this step S54, andthe flow of control is transferred to a next step S55; while on theother hand, if no protection cancel completed signal has been receivedby the signal transmission and reception circuit 109, then the CPUcircuit 106 arrives at a NO decision in the step S54, and this decisionprocedure is repeated. This protection cancel completed signal will beexplained hereinafter. In the step S55 the CPU circuit 106 outputs acommand to the image processor circuit 104 to stop displaying theprotection mark over the thumbnail image which is being displayed asaccentuated, and then the flow of control proceeds to the next step S56.

Next in the step S56 the CPU circuit 106 decides whether or not thethumbnail display button 113 is being actuated again, and if indeed thethumbnail display button 113 is being actuated again then the result ofthis decision in the step S56 is YES and the flow of control proceeds toa next step S57, while on the other hand, if in fact the thumbnaildisplay button 113 is not being actuated again, then the result of thisdecision in the step S56 is NO and the flow of control returns to thestep S42. In the step S57 the CPU circuit 106 issues a command to theimage processor circuit 104 to stop the display of the array ofthumbnail images upon the LCD display section 107 according to thethumbnail image data, and then the procedure of FIG. 7 is terminated.

Next, the procedure which is executed by the data storage device 200 forperforming reception and transmission of signals from and to theelectronic still camera 100 will be explained. FIG. 8 is a flow chartfor explanation of the control flow of this procedure which is executedby the CPU circuit 206 of the data storage device 200. The program ofFIG. 8 is started when the power supply switch 211 of the data storagedevice 200 is actuated to ON. First in a step S61 the CPU circuit 206decides whether or not image data is being received by the signaltransmission and reception circuit 201 from the electronic still camera100, and if indeed image data is being received then the result of thisdecision in the step S61 is YES and the flow of control proceeds to anext step S62, while if in fact no image data is being received then theresult of this decision in the step S61 is NO, and the flow of controlis transferred to a step S63.

Next in the step S62, when the reception of image data by the signaltransmission and reception circuit 201 has been completed, the CPUcircuit 206 records the image data which has been received as an imagedata file in the memory 202. This image data file is a file in EXIFformat in which the image data on which a data compression has beenperformed, the thumbnail image data, and the ID are recorded.Furthermore, the CPU circuit 206 outputs a command to the signaltransmission and reception circuit 201 to transmit a receipt completedsignal, and then the flow of control proceeds to a next step S63. Thisreceipt completed signal is transmitted in order to inform theelectronic still camera 100 that the image data has been received. Thisdetection that the receipt of the image data has been completed is, forexample, performed by detecting the so called “end of image” mark of theJPEG format data, and by also determining that the file size which isincluded in the header portion of the JPEG data and the size of the datawhich has been received agree with one another.

Next in the step S63 the CPU circuit 206 decides whether or not a deletecommand signal has been received from the electronic still camera 100 bythe signal transmission and reception circuit 201, and if indeed adelete command signal has been received then the result of this decisionin the step S63 is YES and the flow of control proceeds to a next stepS64, while if in fact no delete command signal has been received thenthe result of this decision in the step S63 is NO and the flow ofcontrol is transferred to a step S65. In the step S64, the CPU circuit206 deletes the image data file in the memory 202 which corresponds tothe ID which has been received together with the delete command signalby the signal transmission and reception circuit 201. Furthermore, whenthe image data file in the memory 202 which corresponds to the ID whichhas been received has been deleted, the CPU circuit 206 outputs acommand to the signal transmission and reception circuit 201 fortransmission of a delete completed signal, and then the flow of controlcontinues to the next step S65. This delete completed signal istransmitted in order to inform the electronic still camera 100 that thesubject image data file has been deleted.

In this next step S65 the CPU circuit 206 decides whether or not aprotect command signal has been received from the electronic stillcamera 100 by the signal transmission and reception circuit 201, and ifindeed a protect command signal has been received then the result ofthis decision in the step S65 is YES and the flow of control proceeds toa next step S66, while if in fact no protect command signal has beenreceived then the result of this decision in the step S65 is NO and theflow of control is transferred to a step S67. In the step S66, the CPUcircuit 206 prevents and prohibits deletion from the memory 202 of theimage data file which corresponds to the ID which has been receivedtogether with the protect command signal by the signal transmission andreception circuit 201. Furthermore, when the deletion of the image datafile in the memory 202 which corresponds to the ID which has beenreceived has thus been prevented, the CPU circuit 206 outputs a commandto the signal transmission and reception circuit 201 for transmission ofa protect completed signal, and then the flow of control continues tothe next step S67. This protect completed signal is transmitted in orderto inform the electronic still camera 100 that deletion of the subjectimage data file has been prevented.

In this next step S67 the CPU circuit 206 decides whether or not aprotection cancel command signal has been received from the electronicstill camera 100 by the signal transmission and reception circuit 201,and if indeed a protection cancel command signal has been received thenthe result of this decision in the step S67 is YES and the flow ofcontrol proceeds to a next step S68, while if in fact no protectioncancel command signal has been received then the result of this decisionin the step S67 is NO and the flow of control of this procedure of FIG.8 terminates. In the step S68, the CPU circuit 206 cancels theprevention of deletion from the memory 202 of the image data file whichcorresponds to the ID which has been received together with the protectcommand signal by the signal transmission and reception circuit 201.Furthermore, when the prevention of deletion of the image data file inthe memory 202 which corresponds to the ID which has been received hasthus been cancelled, the CPU circuit 206 outputs a command to the signaltransmission and reception circuit 201 for transmission of a protectioncancellation completed signal, and then the flow of control of thisprocedure of FIG. 8 terminates. This protection cancel completed signalis transmitted in order to inform the electronic still camera 100 thatprevention of the deletion of the subject image data file has beencancelled.

The image data file transmission system according to the first preferredembodiment of the present invention described above provides thefollowing operational benefits.

-   (1) The electronic still camera 100 is made so as, upon photography,    to record thumbnail image data and compressed basic image data as an    image data file in its internal memory 105, so as to transmit a copy    of this image data file to the data storage device 200, and so as to    delete the basic image data from the image data file in its internal    memory 105 when it receives a receipt completed signal transmitted    from the data storage device 200. Since the basic image data does    not remain in the image data file in the internal memory 105,    accordingly it is possible to economize upon the capacity of the    internal memory 105 which is used, and it is therefore possible to    photograph and to record a greater number of frames. Furthermore,    since the basic image data is only deleted after the receipt    completed signal transmitted from the data storage device 200 has    been received, therefore it cannot happen that the basic image data    is mistakenly deleted from the electronic still camera 100 before it    has been properly transmitted therefrom to the data storage device    200. Furthermore, since the thumbnail image data is stored or    preserved in the internal memory 105 of the electronic still camera    100, thereby the photographer is able to display and check the    images which have been transmitted to the data storage device 200    upon the LCD display section 107, even when the data storage device    200 is not nearby.-   (2) It is arranged for the same ID to be recorded in the image data    file which is recorded in the internal memory 105 of the electronic    still camera 100, and in the image data file which is transmitted to    the data storage device 200. And, when transmitting a delete    command, a protect command, or a protection cancel command for an    image data file from the electronic still camera to the data storage    device 200, the ID of the image data file which is to be the subject    of the command is also transmitted. As a result, it is possible to    perform deletion, protection, or protection cancellation for each    image file in the data storage device 200 individually from the    electronic still camera 100.-   (3) Since the above described ID is arranged to include the serial    number of the electronic still camera 100, it cannot duplicate the    ID with a different electronic still camera.-   (4) The electronic still camera 100 and the data storage device 200    respectively comprise the signal transmission and reception circuit    109 and the signal transmission and reception circuit 201, and    thereby exchange signals with one another by wireless transmission.    Accordingly, the photographer can carry around the electronic still    camera 100 by itself in order to perform photography, and the ease    of operation is enhanced, by comparison with the case in which the    electronic still camera 100 and the data storage device 200 are    connected by a data cable.-   (5) Since, if the power supply switch 111 of the electronic still    camera 100 is turned OFF partway through the procedure of the step    S5 through the step S10, at this time the procedure for turning the    power supply OFF is only performed after the transmission of the    image data file which has been photographed to the data storage    device 200 has been completed (the NO decision in the step S16),    thereby the image data file which has been photographed is prevented    from becoming lost without being recorded in the data storage device    200.-   (6) Since the brightness of the freeze image display which is    displayed upon the LCD display section 107 of the electronic still    camera 100 is reduced while the image data is being transmitted from    the electronic still camera 100 to the data storage device 200    during the steps S12 through S15, thereby the photographer is    enabled to check that the image data is being transferred from the    fact that the brightness of the display image upon the LCD display    section 107 has dropped.

Embodiment Two

In the first preferred embodiment of the present invention describedabove, the explanation was made in terms of single frame photography inwhich one frame at a time is shot. However, in the second preferredembodiment of the present invention, continuous photography or shootingis performed at a predetermined interval while the shutter releasebutton 112 of the electronic still camera 100 is actuated.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the control flow of a photographicprocedure which is executed by a CPU circuit 106 of an electronic stillcamera according to a second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. It should be understood that, in this figure, to steps whichperform procedures identical to ones shown in the flow chart of FIG. 4for the case of single frame photography, the same step numbers areappended, so that the following explanation will concentrate on theprocedures which are different from those shown in FIG. 4. In a step S5Aof FIG. 9, the image data which has been obtained by photography isprocessed by the image processor circuit 104 into image data fordisplay, and is displayed as a freeze image upon the LCD display section107. At this time, the image processor circuit 104 displays thethumbnail image in array format, in order that the results of continuousphotography can be looked at once. Every time a photographic frame isadded as a result of continuous photography, the number of thumbnailimages which are displayed is increased.

In a step S8B, the CPU circuit 106 checks whether or not the shutterrelease button 112 is now OFF, and if indeed the shutter release button112 is now OFF then the result of this decision in the step S8B is YESand the flow of control proceeds to a next step S9, while if in fact theshutter release button 112 is not yet OFF then the result of thisdecision in the step S8B is NO, and the flow of control returns to thestep S4.

In a step S10A, the CPU circuit 106 performs a procedure fortransferring the image data to the signal transmission and receptioncircuit 109, and when the transfer procedure has been completed theprocedure of FIG. 9 terminates. Thus, in this step S10A, the pluralityof image data files which have been obtained by continuous photographyare transmitted one at a time from the electronic still camera 100 tothe data storage device 200.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explanation of the control flow of thistransfer procedure performed by the CPU circuit 106 in the step S10A. Inthis figure, to steps which perform procedures identical to ones shownin the flow chart of FIG. 5 for the case of single frame photography,the same step numbers are appended, so that the following explanationwill concentrate on the procedures which are different from those shownin FIG. 5.

In a step S12A of FIG. 10, the CPU circuit 106 outputs a command to theimage processor circuit 104 for lowering the display brightness of thethumbnail image which corresponds to the image data file which is beingtransmitted. By doing this, the operator is enabled to know which imagedata file is being transmitted.

In a step S15A, the CPU circuit 106 outputs a command to the imageprocessor circuit 104 for ceasing to display the thumbnail image whosebrightness is currently reduced, and then the flow of control proceedsto a step S15B. In this step S15B the CPU circuit 106 decides whether ornot all of the image data files which have been obtained by continuousphotography have been transmitted. If indeed all of these image datafiles have been transmitted then the result of this decision in the stepS15B is YES and the procedure of FIG. 10 terminates, while if in factthe some image data files remain to be transmitted, then the result ofthis decision in the step S15B is NO, and the flow of control returns tothe step S11 in order to transmit the next image data file.

According to this second preferred embodiment of the present inventionas described above, it is possible to obtain the same beneficialoperational results in the case of continuous photography, as in thecase of single frame photography. In particular, with this secondpreferred embodiment of the present invention, it is possible for theoperator easily to be aware of which file is currently beingtransmitted, and of which files have not yet been transmitted, since anarray of thumbnail images which correspond to the image data files whichhave been obtained as a result of continuous photography is displayedupon the LCD display section 107, and, while transmitting these imagedata files one at a time from the electronic still camera 100 to thedata storage device 200, along with reducing the display brightness ofthat one of these thumbnail images which corresponds to the image datafile which is being transmitted, the thumbnail images which correspondto those image data files for which the transmission has been completedare deleted from the display.

Although by way of example in the above explanation the description wasmade in terms of the electronic still camera 100 and the data storagedevice 200 being connected together by wireless communication accordingto the Bluetooth protocol, they could also be connected by IrDA.Furthermore, it would also be possible to connect together theelectronic still camera 100 and the data storage device 200 by aphysical cable such as an IEEE-1394 cable, or a USB cable, or a networkcable or the like.

Furthermore, although by way of example in the above explanation thedescription was made in terms of the electronic still camera 100 and thedata storage device 200 being connected together on a one to one basis,it would be possible for the electronic still camera 100 to be providedin plurality, and/or, in the same manner, for the data storage device200 to be provided in plurality.

Since the ID which is recorded in each image data file is arranged toinclude the serial number of the electronic still camera 100,accordingly it becomes possible to distinguish the image data file froman image data file of a different electronic still camera and there isno danger that an image data file which has been shot by using thedifferent electronic still camera is mistakenly deleted.

It should be understood that, instead of the ID including the serialnumber of the electronic still camera 100, it would alternatively bepossible for it to include symbols, characters, or digits identifyingthe electronic still camera 100 or the photographer.

Although in the above described preferred embodiments the brightness ofthe thumbnail image which was displayed upon the LCD display section 107was reduced while the corresponding image data file was beingtransmitted from the electronic still camera 100 to the data storagedevice 200, it would be acceptable, instead of reducing its brightness,to display this thumbnail image as flashing, or in a different color, orto provide an overlaid display of an icon or text informationsuperimposed upon the thumbnail image display, in order to show that thecorresponding image data file was being transmitted.

Although the above explanation was made in terms of the commands fordeleting, protecting, or cancelling the protection of image data fileswhich were recorded in the memory 202 of the data storage device 200being issued by actuation of the electronic still camera 100, it wouldalso be possible for these commands to be issued by actuation of thedata storage device 200. In this case, it would be possible for suchcommands to be issued by actuation of the four way switch 212, thethumbnail display button 213, the image data delete button 214, and theimage data protect button 215.

Moreover, although the above explanation was made in terms of an imagedata file transfer system which dealt with still image data which wasobtained as a result of photography with an electronic still camera 100,the present invention could equally well be applied to a data filetransfer system which dealt with moving image data.

Furthermore, although by way of example the explanation was made interms of the electronic still camera 100, it should not be considered asbeing limited to the case of an electronic still camera. Any devicewhich performs image capture using an image capturing element such as aCCD or the like and which accumulates the resulting image datainternally, and which transmits this image data to an external device,could equally well be the subject of the present invention. For example,the present invention could be applied to a scanner, a PDA a portabletelephone (a cellular phone), a portable personal computer such as anotebook personal computer or the like, or to any device whichincorporates an image capturing element.

Furthermore, the data storage device 200 could be constituted as apersonal computer or the like. The personal computer might be connectedvia an interface cable such as a USB cable or the like to a Bluetoothadapter, in order to perform wireless transmission. A hard disk deviceor the like of the personal computer would then be used as the memory202.

It should be understood that a program to be executed by a personalcomputer can be provided via a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or viaa data signal transmission means such as the internet or the like. FIG.11 is a figure showing such an arrangement. A program is loaded into apersonal computer 400 from a CD-ROM 404. Furthermore, the personalcomputer 400 is endowed with the function of connection to acommunication line 401. A computer 402 is a server computer which offersthe above described program, and which stores the program upon arecording medium such as a hard disk 403 or the like. The communicationline 401 may be the internet, a communication line such as a personalcomputer communication line or the like, or a dedicated communicationline. The computer 402 reads out the program from its hard disk 403, andtransmits this program to the personal computer 400 via thecommunication line 401. In other words, the program is embodied as adata signal in a carrier wave, and is transmitted via the communicationline 401. In this manner, the program can be provided in the form of acomputer-readable computer program product in various forms, such as arecording medium or a data signal impressed upon a carrier wave or thelike.

It should be understood that the data storage device 200 may have aprinting function. In this case, the command set outputted from theelectronic still camera 100 may include a print command for making thedata storage device 200 print out a designated image. Also, the commandset outputted from the electronic still camera may include a command fortransmitting a copy of the designated basic image data stored in thedata storage device 200 to the electronic camera 100.

1. An image data processing device, comprising: a processing device thatacquires basic image data, and generates simplified image datacorresponding to the basic image data that has been acquired, a size ofthe simplified image data being smaller than that of the basic imagedata; a transmission device that transmits at least the basic image datato an external storage device after the processing device has generatedthe simplified image data; an internal storage device; a control devicethat controls the processing device, the transmission device and theinternal storage device, and causes the internal storage device to storethe basic image data and the simplified image data, and to delete thebasic image data from the internal storage device without deleting thesimplified image data from the internal storage device after thetransmission device has transmitted the basic image data to the externalstorage device; an identifying information generation device thatgenerates identifying information for individually identifyingcorrespondence between the basic image data and the simplified imagedata, the identifying information including at least one of informationthat identifies the image data processing device individually andinformation that identifies a user of the image data processing device;a display device that displays a plurality of simplified imagescorresponding to a plurality of sets of simplified image data; aselection device that selects a simplified image from the plurality ofsimplified images which have been displayed on the display device; and acommand generation device that generates a command for processing at theexternal storage device of the basic image data corresponding to thesimplified image which has been selected by the selection device,wherein the internal storage device further stores the identifyinginformation, and the transmission device transmits the identifyinginformation and the command corresponding to the simplified image thathas been selected to the external storage device.
 2. An image dataprocessing device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission deviceperforms a communication with the external storage device by radio. 3.An image data processing device according to claim 1, wherein: thecommand generation device generates a delete command for deletion of thebasic image data corresponding to the simplified image which has beenselected by the selection device; and the transmission device transmitsthe identifying information and the delete command to the externalstorage device.
 4. An image data processing device according to claim 3,wherein: the command generation device generates a protect command forpreventing deletion of basic image data corresponding to a simplifiedimage that has been selected by the selection device; and thetransmission device transmits the identifying information and theprotect command to the external storage device.
 5. An image dataprocessing device according to claim 4, wherein: the command generationdevice generates a protection cancel command for canceling prevention ofdeletion of basic image data corresponding to a simplified image thathas been selected by the selection device; and the transmission devicetransmits the identifying information and the protection cancel commandto the external storage device.
 6. An image data processing deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a power supply control devicethat turns off a supply of power to the image data processing deviceupon actuation of an actuation member, wherein if the actuation memberis actuated while the transmission device is transmitting the basicimage data to the external storage device, the power supply controldevice turns off the supply of power to the image data processing deviceafter the transmission device has completed transmitting of the basicimage data.
 7. An image data processing device according to claim 1,wherein: the display device displays an image related to the basic imagedata or the simplified image data; and the display device performscontrol so as to lower a brightness of a display image, when thetransmission device is transmitting the basic image data to the externalstorage device.
 8. An image data processing device according to claim 1,wherein the transmission device transmits both the basic image data andthe simplified image data to the external storage device.
 9. An imagedata processing device according to claim 1, wherein the transmissiondevice does not transmit the simplified image data to the externalstorage device.
 10. An image data processing device according to claim3, wherein: the control device controls the internal storage device todelete the simplified image data from the internal storage device andcontrols the display device to delete a display of the simplified imagethat has been selected, after a delete completed signal has beenreceived from the external storage device.
 11. An image data processingdevice according to claim 4, wherein: the control device controls thedisplay device to display a protection mark to the simplified image thathas been selected, after a protect completed signal has been receivedfrom the external storage device.
 12. An image data processing deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein: the command generation device generatesa protection cancel command for canceling prevention of deletion ofbasic image data corresponding to a simplified image that has beenselected by the selection device; the transmission device transmits theidentifying information and the protection cancel command to theexternal storage device; and the control device controls the displaydevice to delete the protection mark to the simplified image that hasbeen selected, after a protection cancel completed signal has beenreceived from the external storage device.
 13. An image data processingdevice according to claim 1, wherein: the identifying information isstored in a specific region in an image data file in which basic imagedata is stored.
 14. An image data storing system that transmits imagedata from an image data processing device to an external storage deviceand stores the image data in the external storage device, comprising: aprocessing device that is provided in the image data processing device,the processing device acquiring basic image data and generatingsimplified image data corresponding to the basic image data that hasbeen acquired, a size of the simplified image data being smaller thanthat of the basic image data; a transmission device that is provided inthe image data processing device and transmits at least the basic imagedata to the external storage device after the processing device hasgenerated the simplified image data; an internal storage device that isprovided in the image data processing device and stores the simplifiedimage data; an image storage device that is provided in the externalstorage device and stores at least the basic image data which has beentransmitted from the image data processing device; a control device thatcontrols the processing device, the transmission device and the internalstorage device, the control device controlling the internal storagedevice to store the basic image data and the simplified image data inthe internal storage device, and after the transmission device hastransmitted the basic image data to the external storage device,controlling the internal storage device to delete the basic image datafrom the internal storage device without deleting the simplified imagedata from the internal storage device; an identifying informationgeneration device that generates identifying information forindividually identifying correspondence between the basic image data andthe simplified image data, the identifying information including atleast one of information that identifies the image data processingdevice individually and information that identifies a user of the imagedata processing device; a display device that displays a plurality ofsimplified images corresponding to a plurality of sets of simplifiedimage data; a selection device that selects a simplified image from theplurality of simplified images which have been displayed on the displaydevice; and a command generation device that generates a command forprocessing at the external storage device of the basic image datacorresponding to the simplified image which has been selected by theselection device, wherein the internal storage device further stores theidentifying information, and the transmission device transmits theidentifying information and the command corresponding to the simplifiedimage that has been selected to the external storage device.
 15. Animage data storing system according to claim 14, wherein: the imagestorage device of the external storage device stores at least the basicimage data and the identifying information that have been transmittedfrom the image data processing device.
 16. An image data storing systemaccording to claim 14, wherein the transmission device transmits boththe basic image data and the simplified image data to the externalstorage device.
 17. An image data storing system according to claim 14,wherein the transmission device does not transmit the simplified imagedata to the external storage device.
 18. An image data processingmethod, comprising: acquiring basic image data using an image capturingdevice; generating simplified image data corresponding to the basicimage data that has been acquired, a size of the simplified image databeing smaller than that of the basic image data; storing the simplifiedimage data and the basic image data in an internal storage of the imagecapturing device; transmitting at least the basic image data to anexternal storage device after the simplified image data has beengenerated; deleting the basic image data from the internal storage ofthe image capturing device without deleting the simplified image datafrom the internal storage of the image capturing device upon completionof the transmission of the basic image data to the external storagedevice; generating identifying information for individually identifyingcorrespondence between the basic image data and the simplified imagedata, the identifying information including at least one of informationthat identifies the image capturing device individually and informationthat identifies a user of the image capturing device; displaying aplurality of simplified images corresponding to a plurality of sets ofsimplified image data; selecting a simplified image from the pluralityof simplified images which have been displayed; generating a command forprocessing at the external storage device of the basic image datacorresponding to the simplified image which has been selected; storing,in the internal storage device, the identifying information; andtransmitting the identifying information and the command correspondingto the simplified image that has been selected to the external storagedevice.
 19. An image data processing method according to claim 18,further comprising changing a brightness of a display of the imagecapturing device while transmitting the basic image data, wherein thedisplay has a first brightness while the transmission is occurring andhas a second brightness when transmission is completed.
 20. Acomputer-readable recording medium that stores a computer-readableprogram for processing image data, the program comprising: instructionsfor acquiring basic image data; instructions for generating simplifiedimage data corresponding to the basic image data that has been acquired,a size of the simplified image data being smaller than that of the basicimage data; instructions for storing the simplified image data and thebasic image data in an internal storage of an imaging device;instructions for transmitting at least the basic image data to anexternal storage device after the simplified image data has beengenerated; instructions for deleting the basic image data from theinternal storage of the imaging device without deleting the simplifiedimage data from the internal storage of the imaging device uponcompletion of the transmission of the basic image data to the externalstorage device; instructions for generating identifying information forindividually identifying correspondence between the basic image data andthe simplified image data, the identifying information including atleast one of information that identifies the imaging device individuallyand information that identifies a user of the imaging device;instructions for displaying a plurality of simplified imagescorresponding to a plurality of sets of simplified image data;instructions for selecting a simplified image from the plurality ofsimplified images which have been displayed; instructions for generatinga command for processing at the external storage device of the basicimage data corresponding to the simplified image which has beenselected; instructions for further storing the identifying informationin the internal storage of the imaging device; and instructions fortransmitting the identifying information and the command correspondingto the simplified image that has been selected to the external storagedevice.
 21. A computer-readable recording medium according to claim 20,that further stores instructions for changing a brightness of a displayof the imaging device while transmitting the basic image data, whereinthe display has a first brightness while the transmission is occurringand has a second brightness when transmission is completed.